Crayon Wallet Tutorial

A friend had a great idea to make crayon wallets for our kids so I created my own pattern modeled after some cute ones sold on Etsy.com. Below is the fruit of my labor:

oops, wrong "fruit" :-)

Here is the tutorial:

Materials Needed
1 piece of fabric measured 7 in x 16 in (for the outside of the wallet)
2 pieces of fabric measured 7 in x 16 in each (for the inside of the wallet)
1 piece of lightweight fusible interfacing measured 7 in x 16 in
2 pieces of ribbon (each measured at about 10 inches long)
Thread, scissors, iron, a bottle of wine, etc.
*Note: I found the cute fabric pictured at Hancock*

Step 1: Fold one of the inside pieces in half longways and press with the iron.

Step 2: Pin your folded piece to the other inside piece (right side up), sew with a 1/4 in seam allowance

Step 3: Iron the fusible interfacing (or as directed on your interfacing) to the back of the piece you just sewed together.

Step 4: Once the interfacing has adhered measure 5 and 1/2 inches from each side and draw a line (these will be the folds of the wallet). Fold inwards and press with the iron.


Optional Step: Pour a glass of wine

Step 5: Measure for your crayon pockets. Each crayon pocket will be 1 and 1/4 inch wide so measure from the left side of your fabric 1/2 inch in (for the seam allowance) and then every 1 1/4 inches, you will need 8 crayon pockets. The 5 and 1/2 inches on the last section will be the notebook holder.

Step 6: On a hard surface, draw a line on the interfacing where the pocket ends so you know where to stop sewing :-)

Step 7: Sew your crayon holders! Start at the bottom and sew until your needle JUST crosses the line from step 6. With your needle down (and still in the fabric) swivel the fabric and follow the same line down again, cut thread and move to the next line. *Note: begin sewing the first crayon holder at 1 and 3/4 inches in to allow for your 1/2 inch seam allowance.

Step 8: On the fabric for the outside of the wallet, measure 5 and 1/2 inches from each edge, fold and press. Then lay the two pieces of fabric together so that the wrong sides are facing eachother and the folds match up.

Step 9: Mark where the ribbon closure will be adhered (see picture below) and sew on with a strong zigzag stitch.

Optional Step: If you want to monogram/applique now is the time. Mark the center of the right most section (remember to allow for your 1/2 seam allowance) and go for it.

Step 10: Pin the other side of the ribbon closure to the right most section. The "tail" of the ribbon should hang to the left.

Step 11: Pin both pieces right sides together (Lining up your folds) and sew 3/4 of the way around (leaving the left section open). After sewing, trim your seams, cut your corners and reinforce the ribbon closure with a couple forward and back stitches.

Step 12: Turn project right side out and press seams

Step 13: Admire your handywork! You're almost done and look how freaking adorable it is ;-)

Step 14: Turn open seam in 1/2 inch and stitch closed very close to the edge.

Step 15: Press edges, then press the wallet in the closed position (so that all folds are nice and 'perdy)

Step 16: Add crayons (the bigger crayons seem to work better) and a small pad of paper and give to the little girl or boy of your choosing . *Note: to make the pad of paper take an 8x11 sheet of printer paper, cut in half, then in half again. Staple at the top and hot glue some ribbon to finish it off.

Good Luck!
This is my first sewing tutorial so if there are any questions/comments/errors just leave a comment.